HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1972-10-24 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
City of Ithaca
Regular Meeting October 24, 1972 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chm. Doney, Messrs. Schmidt and Stein.
ALSO: Pl. Dir. Meigs, Pl. & Dev. Committee members Jones, Slattery, Henderson and
Spencer; Alderman Wallace, J. Cantrell and members of the press and radio.
ABSENT: Messrs. Shaw, Burns, Austin and Evanicki.
Due to the lack of a quorum, the Board was unable to act upon items on the agenda
requiring action. However, those present discussed the items.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
a) Director Meigs read a letter dated October 9 from Charles W. Brodhead, Executive
Director, Office of College Relations, Ithaca College, in response to our request for
support of our recommendation to N.Y.S.D.o.T. that an improved Rt. 13 be included in the
StatewiO,e Plan for Transportation. Mr. Brodhead expressed the view that, "in general,
the College would support the concept of a regional airport and improved air service
rather than further development of the highway system." Chm. Doney directed Mr. Meigs
to acknowledge receipt of the letter and inform Mr. Brodhead that it will be passed on to
the appropriate body. ,/
b) Consultant's invoice was not received.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Executive & Liaison - Chm. Doney reported he has had brief discussion with the
Finance Committee and another Council committee on the subject of the budget submission
and the committee knows, in general, what it is going to submit. The overall budget is
essentially the same as the one submitted for approval at the September meeting of the
Board; however, they propose cutting a portion of the funds requested for junior planners'
services.
Regarding the search for a director, approximately 40 applications have been received,
many from the South and the West Coast. In screening these, the Committee has selected
a half-dozen whom they intend to contact by telephone for preliminary interview, after
which they will follow up with reference checks before inviting the candidates here for
personal interview by the Board. The Finance Committee of Council has approved travel
expenses for up to 4 candidates for interview purposes. The Committee anticipates the
Board may request salary in excess of minimum as the Board feels the whole structure of
department salaries falls below national standards. The Common Council has indicated
that it intends to review the area of salary structure in time, and that it is receptive
to considering such a request if it is made.
OLD BUSINESS:
a) Northside Recreation facilities - Mr. Mems informed the Board that the staff has
taken a look at the situation in the Northside in response to Mr. Stein's request at the
September meeting. The tentative proposals made are based on standards, data and pro-
posals from the Recreation Study and General Plan. The review shows that there continues
to be need for developed recreation space in the Northside. The area available appears
to be adequate but it is underdeveloped and is of size and shape which makes it difficult
to develop. The General Plan shows a total of 3.4 acres of park available in the
neighborhood which includes Conway Park, the school playgrounds and Washington Park. None
of the areas are developed to meet the demands which would be put on them. The northern
part of the neighborhood is too far from most of the facilities. Also, there is a need
for park area on the west side of Meadow Street. There are undeveloped lands in the area
which might be investigated for development, but they are privately owned and would likely
require funds for acquisition. Mr. Meigs recommended that there be further discussion by
the Community Facilities & Services Committee and later that it be referred to the Board
of Public Works. Also, presentation of the proposals should be made to the Youth Bureau.
Chm. Doney suggested the matter be given to the Community Facilities & Services Committee
for review and return to the Board in a month.
b) CRP Progress Report - Mr. Meigs reported the staff and consultant are in the stage
of putting together in draft form the material for the Technical Report, prior to sub-
mission of which to Council it will need review by the Planning Board and the CRP Advisory
Committee. Several of the sections that go into the final report have been printed in
limited quantity and distributed to the Planning Board and the Advisory Committee. Other
sections are due to be received from the consultant and will be distributed within the
next 3 weeks to these bodies. One or more public presentation of the full draft should
be held. After this, review and recommendation by the Planning Board and Advisory Commit-
tee, and approval by the Common Council, it will go to HUD for review and eventual return
to us with their approval or suggestions.
There is nothing new regarding the NDP Program application. It was agreed that
thought should be given now to application for Code Enforcement programs, particularly
for the lower Northside area identified by the CRP analysis.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Mr. Stein suggested that the Planning staff, in coordination with the County.
Planning staff, undertake some study of the implications of some of the proposals in the
Cranch Report, in particular the 2000-student increase.
b) Proposed chafes to Zoning Ordinance - It was strongly suggested that the
Planning Board meet, possibly with the Common Council, to review the proposed changes to
the map and Ordinance, in a session to be chaired by the Charter & Ordinance Committee
of Council, prior to the Committee's putting together the final proposals.
MISCELLANEOUS:
a) Zoning Cases 989 and 990, requests for Variances, were not acted upon. The
cases were given to the Codes & Ordinances Committee who will review them and recommend
to the Board so it can act on them, at its next Regular meeting, November 28, 1972.
MEETING ADJOURNED 9:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan C. Meigs
10.26.72 Planning Director
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